Idman.biz
Ilia Topuria, the Georgian-born UFC champion's manager, Malki Kawa, clarified the news about the planned title fight with Russian fighter Islam Makhachev not happening due to financial reasons.
Idman.Biz reports that in a video shared on his social media account, the manager emphasized that this fight could be the biggest event in UFC history. He denied Makhachev's claims that the Topuria side demanded unrealistic amounts.
"The fight between Islam and Ilia could have been the biggest fight in UFC history. Don't you think such a fight deserves the highest fee? I would be stupid if I asked for the wrong amount for this fight. But I didn't ask for $100 million or $50 million. The amount I demanded was quite reasonable and acceptable," Kawa said.
It is worth reminding that Islam Makhachev said in an earlier interview that the fight was canceled due to Ilia's "exaggerated financial demands" and that UFC rejected the offer for this reason.
It should be noted that Ilia Topuria will face American Justin Gaethje in the main fight of the historic "UFC Freedom 250" tournament, which will be held on June 15 at the White House in the USA, in the lightweight category. The other important fight of that night will be between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight category.
